All Moving Supplies Are Not Created Equal

06/08/2018

by Julie DeLong, A-1 Freeman Moving Group

There's something about a large pile
of boxes and spools of packing tape that is refreshing—here's your chance to sort
through all your stuff and carefully
pack your prized possessions, so when
you reach your new house and commence
unpacking the boxes it will seem just like your birthday when you were a little one. Imagine
for a few seconds that's how the entire
scenario truly develops,
and you are not scampering through
the home like a crazy person throwing
heirloom china in with the set of encyclopedias,
make sure you have the right
packing supplies for your moving project.

Boxes and tape are some of the most vital equipment for packing, and all boxes and tape
are NOT of the same quality. It is
okay to throw some
coffee mugs in an old toaster box and store
it in the top of the pantry, but to
pack, stack, and transport that box, it will breakdown
like a house of cards and you'll end up with a
bunch of broken mugs.

If
you are packing your things on
your own, conduct some research into the materials prior to
getting started. If you are
employing a moving company to execute the actual
moving, they will most likely have the right heavy-duty
boxes, tape, and wrapping stuff you'll require. If not, storage facilities, big box stores, and the internet are good
places to get your supplies, but since you can't
do tactile research over the internet, do not
rely on reviews to make your
decision—everyone packs differently and
"sturdy" and "solid" are very subjective words.

Seek
out boxes that are corrugated--a layer of wavy fiber between
the inner and outer layers of heavy cardboard. The corrugation
gives the box structure and strength,
so when you put them on the truck
they do not cave in. There are various
grades of rigidity within the corrugated world,
so you should buy the box strength
you need for a particular item--go with
the sturdiest boxes for the most fragile
and the heaviest things you'll
pack.

While
you are buying boxes, make sure and get
plenty of the small ones--heavy items
go in small boxes, bulky lighter ones go
in the larger boxes. For example, books weigh a lot and should be
put in a small box. Afghans and pillows
are comparatively lightweight and can be packed in the bigger ones.

Picking
up bargain, low quality tape is where lots
of DIY movers get discouraged.
If it's low-quality, it will not adhere
well. Worse, it will stick to itself when it is dispensed out of the gun and splinter in small little pieces
and then you have to work
at it and try to get it to unstick in one
piece. Be extravagant and purchase a decent-quality
gun or two with a padded handle—you will be pleased
you did when you are eighty boxes in
with a lot more to close. It's
also a brilliant idea to buy your tape in
bulk--it costs less and you can generally return
what you might not use.

There
are several choices for
padding inside the boxes. Old towels and sheets
are wonderful when you need something
lining the box, for example when you're
packing shoes and do not want them crashing
around.

Newsprint
is by far the best alternative
for pretty much everything--from packing
mugs (thread a twisted end through the handle and stuff the leftover inside once it is wrapped) to books to small appliances.

Bubble
wrap can get costly, but purchase
the good stuff anyway, since those are the items that you'll use it for. The bubble size differs,
but a fair rule of thumb is for your bubble
size to pair the item size—use the big
bubbles for padding around the entire box. Feel the
wrap prior to purchasing it, and observe how strong it is when you squeeze
and pull it. If it's weak or doesn't
feel like the bubbles hold, go with a different
brand.

If
you haven't moved for a while,
and you go hunting for boxes, be ready
to be amazed at the alternatives
you have. If your parents moved, they might have bought their tape and boxes and had the whole neighborhood
retaining newspapers for weeks.
Now, there are bunches of
specialty moving supplies you'll discover in
the stores—several
are definitely worth the extra money,
some are just reinventing the wheel—it's up to you to discern what's going to be best for your move. Just remember, be positive
you are purchasing good
quality--you do not need your mattresses in unsubstantial
plastic sheeting.

Dish
packs are strong boxes designed
for dishes. They may include pieces
of corrugated paper to separate the pieces
so you do not have to wrap individually.

Glass
packs are like the dish boxes, except they have the
lightweight cardboard insert that goes inbetween
the glass.

Wardrobe
boxes are also heavy, tall, and have
a bar for hanging clothes.

Specialty
boxes for mirrors and TVs are shallow and large.

Now
that you have the boxes
under control, you need to think about how you
are going to move the big
stuff out the door--the furniture, the lawn mower,
the grill--but don't be anxious, help is right
around the corner. In order to move several of these items renting equipment is the best
way to go.

Your
furniture is more susceptible to damage than you think--surface dents and scrapes
are entirely too common when items come
off the truck. You can negate these
with some simple protection; again, be sure you're obtaining good
quality materials that hold up to the rigors of moving.

Moving
blankets are a must. You can purchase
or rent them. Most moving companies and storage facilities can rent or
sell them to you. Although buying is usually less costly,
renting may be the best choice. The blankets you buy
are usually a thin fabric
with padding and are fine for some items,
but if you're moving wood furniture of much
value you will be better off
with a thick cotton pad with more batting in the middle, which are usually
rented (you can get them and return them
with the truck). If you calculate you need ten, rent twenty—this is especially
true if you decide to purchase
the cheaper ones--double wrap.

Shrink
wrap that comes on a large, double
handled roll keeps the blankets
in place on the large pieces, and secures
just about anything. Buy an almost opaque plastic that's able to hold up against boxes and corners--get
the most puncture-proof plastic you can find.

Foam
padding is excellent for corners, you can get a roll of heavy foam, but
be careful that it's good
quality and will not rip easily.

The
last things you'll require
are for the super heavy and bulky things.
Unless you own these items already, you’ll want.

The
best hand trucks are the heavy-duty ones that are appliance weight, and
have straps to secure the item you're
moving. They also tip backward, to give you
better leverage against the weight of the couch or dryer
or whatever you have strapped on.

Dollies
are flat pallets on rollers that are ideal if there aren't any stairs involved. They're
excellent for smaller dressers or
anything that's heavy and flat on the bottom; make sure the
one you get is padded on
the slats.

Body
straps help you to evenly distribute the weight of extremely
bulky items on your body. They are
commonly used in pairs as to
takes two people to move the big things, especially down stairs. When
you rent these, be sure the straps and
buckles are easy to use, and not
frayed or broken.

No
matter how you're moving your residence, your local moving
company will be able to provide you with all of the supplies you'll need to move. Just remember that you're moving
your entire life in these boxes, so be positive that your moving supplies are acceptable to handle the task.

Save time and money with special offers and resources that will help you make your move a success.

Since 2017, A-1 Freeman Moving Group has become a Single Source Solution for the moving, relocation, logistics, warehousing, and transportation needs of thousands of individuals, governments, militaries, and many of the world's top businesses. Our focus on excellence in customer experience & service has made us one of the most respected moving companies in the industry.